Full Moon Hikes Awaken Your Inner Romantic

Panola Mountain State Park offers moon light hikes to the top of the mountain. My boyfriend and I decided that we'd take the hike on a seemingly random Tuesday evening. The moon was set to be its fullest that night and we knew the views would be spectacular.

Park rangers Amy and Jamie were our guides. No one else showed up that night so I was stoked to have a little private tour. It had been years since I went to the top and I was glad to be going with my boyfriend.

Our excursion began around sunset on a cool evening. The rangers guided us up the side of Panola Mountain. Near the base, the trail is forested, dotted with small ponds and a beautiful lake right before hikers gain elevation. Around the lake are cottages, remnants of the owners who passed the park on to the state back in the 70s.

Red Diamorpha

From there, we began our journey upward. The trees became more scarce, giving way to the bare face of the granite. Amy was incredibly knowledgeable about the plant life and formations found in the bulges and crags of the monadnock. She pointed out numerous types of lichen which for some reason remind me of tiny reindeer antlers. She also noted rare red diamorpha which thrives in the tiny shallow pools that are speckled across the mountain. At one stop, we found the even rarer green diamorpha!

My favorite was the black moss, which turns bright green in seconds after pouring water on it. The transformation is even faster when there is more sunlight, but since we were catching the last rays before sunset we had to kneel down and squint to see the change.


Since we hiked during the winter, we missed out on the prickly pear cacti, the sand wart, and yellow daisies that I've heard are stunning during the warmer months.

Then we reached the top. Beautiful! The sun set in the west, and to the right we could see the Atlanta skyline as bright as day. The city juts up out of the horizon like its own strange little mountain range. It was simply stunning.

We walked up a bit further to another crest. From there, we could see nearby Arabia Mountain and the moon rising in the east. It seemed like it was "rising" pretty fast thanks to a low-lying strip of clouds. As the clouds slipped away in the distant winds, the moon grew fuller and brighter. From where we stood, it was about the size of a dinner plate in our hands.

My boyfriend, who is generally the romantic type, whipped out a tripod and asked the rangers to take photos of us. I wasn't expecting the tripod, or the portable light that he brought but I was glad that thy were there. Jamie took a few photos of us with the moonlight at our backs.

"On the count of three, everybody say, 'Yes!'" I dunno what happened to cheese, but during the third photo it all began to make sense. The flash blinded me. As my eyes recovered, I noticed Jamie hand my boyfriend a small black box. Amy shoved her hands deep into her pockets and grinned.

My boyfriend dropped to one knee and I think I went temporarily def. I could see him open the box, revealing a diamond that caught the moonlight and sent it back at me like another camera flash. I think I heard him say my name and that was enough.

"Yes, yes, yes! Get up! Oh my God, get up!" I shouted. I think I pulled him to his feet.

"Speech!" squealed Amy.

I look of horror passed my boyfriend's--I mean, fiance's--face.

I cracked up for a second. "You don't have to give a speech, just put it on me!" I'm seriously not using enough exclamation points for how I was really talking.

My fiance placed the ring on my finger and I know I squealed and kissed him for at least a good minute. Somewhere along the lines I regained my breath, called him a jerk and a punk for surprising me, and kicked him in the butt. Eh. It's what we do.

The descent was a bit of a blur. I remember that the moonlight was so bright that we didn't need flashlights at all. The light was so bright, actually, that it cast long angular shadows on the ground around us as we passed through the trees. We tried to take a few photos back at the lake, catching the moonlight and starts reflecting off of the water but nothing could capture the beauty as we saw it in front of us.

While this account doesn't describe a normal Panola Mountain Park moonlight hike, it does demonstrate just how phenomenal the park rangers are. Three park staff members were in on the scheme! They helped my finace coordinate everything and went out of their way to make everything seem like an average walk through the woods. Thank you so much Jamie and Amy!!!!

Exploring Tallulah Gorge

A few months back, my boyfriend and I began our very own commemorative trekking pole. Every time that we visit a new state park, we buy one of the cute little medallions that we can nail onto the wooden pole. The collection is growing rather nicely, I must say.

We don't just go to the parks for the medallions, of course. (They're bonuses.) The parks are an excellent way to unwind on weekends and enjoy the absolutely stunning creation around us. One of my favorite spots in Georgia, so far, is Tallulah Gorge.

Tallulah Gorge is located in North Georgia near Toccoa Falls, right along the South Carolina border. Quite a few travelers have likely passed over the gorge without noticing it; if you aren't looking for it, the bridge over the river looks like any other overpass on 441. With that said, you should get the picture that the gorge is no Grand Canyon. It does have it's own sense of beauty, though.

The bridge passes over one of the most narrow parts of the river. Beyond, the river and gorge extend for two miles and becomes nearly 1,000 feet deep. The most beautiful areas, in my opinion, are the views of the waterfalls and pools created by the Coleman and Tallulah rivers. The bare cliff faces are also stunning during sunset.

My boyfriend, his brother, and I hiked the North and most of the South rim trails. The hikes are easy, and a decent alternative to anyone wanting to avoid the 600 stairs leading to the gorge floor or the 1,099 stairs on the Hurricane Falls Loop trail. With that said, the hike was a bit too easy for my liking. I didn't break a sweat or feel the burn of well-worked glutes. I hope to drag my s.o. back for one of the more challenging trails. As much as I hate stairs, the opportunity to swim in Bridal Falls is tempting. It's luring me back for the summer.

There are a few things that you should know about Tullulah Falls, GA.

• Your dining options are few. If you're traveling with picky eaters, plan to eat before or after your trip. 
• It gets cold really fast near the water during the cooler months, so even if you plan your excursion during a mild afternoon, bring your jacket for the evening.
• Use quality boots, especially in the spring, fall, and winter. Most of the paths wind through trees, which is excellent for blocking out the southern sun. Unfortunately, this means that any degree of moisture stays trapped on the path. In autumn, fallen leaves become slippery. In the spring and winter, rain and melted snow will leave the paths muddy and slick. If you plan to explore the gorge floor (all boulders) it is also important to wear boots with good traction.

Gulf Shores Vacation: Day Two

Since the second day of our trip also had a chilly forecast, we decided we do a bit of hiking. We didn’t think too much of it since places below sea level tend not to have too many treacherous hills. For the most part, we were right.

Pine Beach Park

The entrance to Pine Beach Park is clearly marked from state route 180. You’ve got to try to miss it. Since the SUV nearly got stuck in the sand earlier that day (a little unnecessary but fun off road action) I was glad that the parking lot was covered in gravel. We checked out a few of the informative displays before starting the trail.

The first leg of the trail is well shaded. The archway of prickly beach vegetation and Spanish moss provides much needed relief from the sun but it also blocks off any scenic views. We strolled along at a casual pace, taking photographs of flowers, moss, and silly poses of each other. It was a peaceful place to take a walk. 

We came to a lookout point, basically an elevated gazebo, that provides guests with views of Gator Lake and a bit of Little Lagoon. The shelter has more informative plaques about the wildlife that resides in the area. I was less interested, though, because I was snapping photos with a DSLR. (I’m currently obsessed with them!)

While we were near Gator Lake we didn’t see any gators. There were at least three herons, though, and I swear they are the most intelligent, regal, and intimidating birds arouns. Really scary when you get too close to them. I’ve held plenty of snakes and clawed mammals in my lifetime but I’m not touching a heron.

 Past the lookout point is where things got interesting. Hikers will pass the ruins of a few structures (unidentifiable, just a few brick walls and a foundation) and then enter the sand dunes. Hiking in sand is one of the best workouts ever! Since the weather was cool I was able to take of my shoes and enjoy the sand beneath my feet. (Don’t try that in the summer. I image half a mile of hot sand is quite unpleasant.) I got a nice tingle in my thighs and butt but it wasn’t enough to make me feel the horrors of exercises. Nice! It would’ve been perfect had we gotten a slight breeze but the dunes block those, of course.

My favorite moment in the whole hike was when we reached the crest of the last dune. The beautiful Gulf opened out before us like a shimmering gemstone with ribbons of turquoise, teal, and blue. The wind picked up immediately and cooled us off. We made our way towards the water and sat along the edge.

Then reality kicked in. We noticed the oil rigs in the distance, beastly structures that rose out of the horizon like sinister Transformers. Then we noticed the clean-up crew. They were making their way down the beach with nets, stopping and scooping. I was in denial at first. Could they still be cleaning up oil? But it is true. About half a dozen workers passed us with dark matter in the bottom of their nets.

I had mixed feelings about it all. We learned that the workers were paid by BP. At least BP was still paying the crews to clean since there were still globs of oil that needed to be removed. (Most globs were the size of ping pong balls or smaller.) At least a few men and women had jobs that may not have been employed otherwise. Both good points. But it hurt me in an inexpressible way to see such a beautiful beach aesthetically and physically marred by our quest for fossil fuels. 

Within an instant I thought back to PureIcedTea.com and how much needs to be done to protect the natural beauty of the South. There is a lot of work to do. “And we drove to this beautiful place in a freakin’ SUV!” I thought. My siblings know how I feel about that sort of thing but they also convinced me that there wasn’t a more cost effective, time-wise and gas-friendly way of getting to our destination. Ugh, the dilemmas that travelers face.

Mikato Japanese Steakhouse

After spending a couple of hours near the beach, chatting with the few locals and visitors, we headed back into town for a late lunch or early dinner (I think it was about 4:30pm). We settled on sushi at MikatoJapanese Steakhouse, a dimly lit restaurants nestled in the distant corner of a shopping plaza. It seemed inappropriately dark, as if strippers would crawl from the other side of the bar at any moment. There was nothing at all shady about our waitress, an accommodating and humorous 40-something.

Of course, you want to know about the sushi. Filling. Creative. Moderately priced. I couldn’t get a feel for the quality of fish used; it certainly wasn’t poor quality but I wouldn’t put it towards the top of my list. I’m sorry, but we were so delirious from our morning in the sun that I completely forgot that I’m a blogger. I didn’t take notes from our dining experience and I’m pulling everything from our collective memories. The only thing that we recall is that the Volcano Roll changed my sister’s life for the better and their BBQ eel made a believer out of my boyfriend. Sort of. The common theme seems to be that this restaurant does sauces and seasonings well even if the fish itself isn’t the main attraction.

Overall rating: 5/10 for friendly staff and good sauces. It's a forgettable restaurant, unfortunately.

There was nothing of interest to us in the mall. Its exterior corridors made a great place to walk off the food. We hoped back in the car and headed home, picking up a frozen pizza in case of late night hunger. I think we spent the night sipping homemade sangria, watching Fact of Faked on Sci-Fi (sorry, SyFy, which is stupider) and being glad that we were on vacation and didn’t have to do anything that we didn’t want to do.

Image Credit: Malaysia Most Wanted

Ending the Search for Hiking Boots

Dillon

I bought my very first pair of hiking boots about two years ago before leaving for the Peace Corps in Paraguay. My friend at the time was a military veteran who had grown to hate boots (he now lives in flip-flops) but due to his strenuous training and ability to endure strange and unusual punishments, he came shopping with me.

After a super short search at an outdoor supply store, we selected a pair of Columbia Dillon hiking boots. The outsole seemed durable, the leather was comfortable, and he had great success with the brand in the past. It was my first pair of boots and I was freaked out about leaving the continent so I was just glad that they had purple accents and weren’t too clunky. 

He turned out to be right about the boots. To this day the boots are incredibly comfortable, waterproof, and quite willing to take a beating. I’ve worn them for hours hiking in the rain on uneven terrain and my feet weren’t even phased by it. I haven’t had the honor of wearing them while hiking the Alpes during a snowstorm or anything but the Dillons have performed beautifully in every test I’ve ever put them through. The boots run true to my street shoe size but I was encouraged to get half a size larger. This works perfectly when wearing thick hiking socks and my feet don’t feel cramped. NOTE: I think Dillon has since been discontinued on Columbia.com though you can still find them online elsewhere.

Fast-forward to a few weeks ago and I was at it again, this time making a more informed search. My ankle-height, waterproof boots are great for hikes in cooler weather but during steamy Atlanta treks during the summer they left my feet feeling hot and unhappy. I wanted a shoe that was more breathable and stopped below the ankle. Durability was also a major factor as I planned to take on more challenging hikes in the future.

Targhee

I decided that durability was my main priority so I asked around and did a bit of research for the queens of reliable soles. Though I hear great things about Vibram soles, my boyfriend has a pair of boots with Keen soles that are ten years old and still kicking butt so I decided to start there. I set my budget to $100 (nearly impossible, right?) and began the search.

The Keen Shasta caught my attention because of the design. The shoes' breathability also ticked off another requirement on my list. The leather is water resistant nubuck and the rest of the upper is mesh. They don't offer a lot of arch support, which was the only downside. I have low arches that seem to "fall" while walking long distances so I moved on.

The next two that caught my eye were the Keen Targhee II and the Keen Palisades. Both had low profiles, breathable mesh, yet the Targhee seemed like the less breathable of the two shoes. (It reportedly has a higher degree of waterproofing.) The Palisades felt lighter on my feet. They have the EVA midsole and removable metatomical footbed that feels quite comfortable and forms to my foot well. I liked the arch support. I made the purchase, in half a size larger than I needed like I had with the Dillons.

Palisades

I wore the shoes around the house just to make sure that I still liked them. Immediately I sensed that they were too big. While the toe area and the ball of my foot felt cozy, the shoe seemed too large around the ankle and heel. I figured that once I put my hiking socks on they'd fit better. I was wrong. The rest of the shoe remained comfortable but I could still feel my heel shifting slighting in and out of the shoe as I walked. BOTTOM LINE: If you have thin to average-sized heels, don't bother getting the Palisade a size larger to accommodate your socks. The shoe just gets longer, not any wider, with size.

I returned the size 8 shoes and have a pair of 7.5 coming in the mail. Even with the opportunity to switch out to another shoe, I like the Palisades so much I'm ordering them again.

Hiking and Biking at Panola Mountain Park

Panola Mountain State Park is a 100 acre reserve created to protect one of Georgia's granite monadnocks. Unlike the more popular Stone Mountain or neighboring Arabia Mountain, Panola’s caretakers have undergone serious efforts to preserve the rare plant life found at the site.

My first time at Panola Mountain Park, I walked the trails with my girlfriend from high school. Pets aren’t allowed so we had to leave Riley at home. My friend and I walked about 7 miles round trip (out of a possible 24) at a brisk pace, fast enough to feel like we were getting a workout but gentle enough that we could carry out conversation. The terrain is fairly level with slight elevation gain but nothing that put us seriously out of breath. Much of the trail is shaded, which is excellent since we’d caught a relatively hot day in the late summer.

Walkers share the paths with joggers and cyclists. That wasn't a problem like it was at Roswell Park, where I was nearly run over a few times. The concrete paths at the park are wide and I think there are fewer cyclists in my area in general.

I went back to Panola about a month later with my boyfriend. With bikes in tow, we set out on the trails. Biking makes a major difference. I swear that the hills got bigger! I died three times. Or at least twice; I actually dismounted and walked while my boyfriend pedaled up the hill, pulling my bike along beside him. While that little gesture made me love him more the event reminded me of three things:

• I need to get in better shape so my bike and I will be back on those trails again.
• Walking and cycling use completely different muscles. I knew this, of course, but I was surprised at how true it is. I can walk forever. Biking 7 miles with minor hills just about sent my thighs to the grave, dragging the rest of my body with them.
• Lactic acid is brutal. Even when I wasn’t winded, the burning in my thighs made me stop moving. It reminded me of when the dance team coach made us do multiple toe-touches back-to-back. I always questioned my dedication to the team after those sessions.

Other than torturing myself with cycling, I’ve got a few other reasons to return to Panola. They’ve got a new archery range! I can get my Amazon Woman-on for $10 per session. Annual passes are available for $100. I enjoy amateur archery. My older brother and I would make bows and arrows out of sticks when we were kids. He got a crossbow as a teenager. I think it’s time to get back to that.

In addition to the range, there are also opportunities for geocaching. For people that are into tree climbing and fishes, the park has activities for you, too.

Have you been to Panola Mountain State Park? What's your favorite activity to do there?

Credits:  Walking Trail Photo, Biking Trail Photo, Sunset at the Park

Eco-Friendly Camping Equipment Winners and Losers

As a camper, I like gadgets that are multifunctional and portable. As a tree-hugger, I like inventions that minimize our negative footprint. As a woman, I like to shop and see some of the latest trends. Hence my list of Eco-Friendly Camping Equipment Winners and Losers for September.

WINNER Popup Solar Shelter You know that you're doing some posh camping when you have a portable shower and changing station. With a size of 4′ x 4′ x 6’6″, the tent provides ample space for adults. It was created with privacy in mind, so the materials are opaque yet there is plenty of ventilation along the top for air and light. Enjoy the added convenience of a 5-gallon PVC Solar Shower. It's no spa but it's better than a bucket of water or the potentially questionable bathrooms at your camp site.

 LOSER Solar Face Shield  Okay, so I appreciate the concept. Smearing chemicals all over your skin at set intervals of time in an effort to protect yourself from the sun is a health hazardous double-edged sword. Without it, your cells are at the mercy of the sun’s rays. With it, your still stuffing your pores with chemicals at best and absorbing carcinogens at worse. But this face mask is hideous. Who is going to walk around in that? Maybe as part of a Halloween costume but it just doesn’t seem cool.

WINNER Black Hills Solar Charger Backpack Having a power charger is like a vital necessity for today’s campers and hikers. Charge your GPS, batteries, smartphone, and other devices with this Black Hills backback. It holds 25 litres of your stuff and can deliver an output of 6V. The battery gives your about 3.7V. You can also change the internal battery using an AC adapter or USB cable, increasing this pack’s awesomeness.

WINNER Solar Powered Baseball Cap At first, this was going to be a loser. I thought to myself, it’s like a headlamp that just looks less nerdy than a headlamp. But doesn’t that make it great? I feel like an idiot with that silly trap tied to my skull and that appendage-like lamp protruding from my forehead. A baseball cap just looks cooler. Besides, it blocks your eyes from the sun during the day and provides you with light during the night.

Finding the Right Jacket for Rain, Wind, and Cold

With the fall underway, it is time for me to stock up on outdoor gear for cooler weather. After leaving much of my stuff in Paraguay post-Peace Corps service (the stuff was already old and I needed to make room for souvenirs) I experienced the first cool week of fall in Atlanta just to remember that I didn’t have a jacket, a rain coat, or gloves so I started shopping around online.

I’m an obsessive comparison shopper. There are so many options in the world, I like to make sure that I’m getting the best quality for my budget. If you are like me, hopefully this post will save you a few hours.

I wanted a jacket is: 1.) water resistant and wind resistant yet breathable 2.) hooded 3.) light enough to tuck into my pack when hiking yet thick enough to keep me warm since I get cold easily 4.) figure flattering on my petite frame. Oh, and if possible, I’d like to keep it under $100.

Columbia 3-in-1 Bugaboo

Columbia 3-in-1 Bugaboo Interchange Parka

I originally stopped into Bass Pro shop for hiking socks. I generally don’t shop there because I’m not an avid hunter or fisher and I always assumed that’s what the store was all about. Not true. While you can find everything you need for the aforementioned sports there’s also a decent department for outerwear and active wear. In addition to finding the socks (Redhead, $9) I also came across a Columbia 3-in-1 Bugaboo Interchange Parka for $160 and thought that I was in love. It’s waterproof with taped seams, wind resistant, has the Columbia Omni-heat technology, and has the added bonus of being worn as a fleece jacket, a raincoat shell, or zipping them together for maximum protection in diverse conditions. The Bugaboo felt warm and comfortable but a bit bulky because I was trying on a medium (I’m 5’3’’, 110lbs). I felt that the medium provided more than enough space for layers and the sleeves passed my knuckles so I opted for a small. No smalls on the rack. The kind sales rep put in an order for me with a nearby store.

I read reviews when I got home and learned that just about everyone loved the jacket. The downsides are that, for some, the back of the jacket isn’t low enough to protect your bum while sitting. There were rave reviews for Columbia’s durability and resistance to the elements. A female hiker was just getting a new jacket after ten years, and that was only because the old jacket didn’t fit anymore.

The North Face Cedar Falls Triclimate Jacket

The North Face Cedar Falls Triclimate

As I waited for Bass Pro Shop to call and let me know that my order had arrived, I stopped into the Sports Authority to get a wicking shirt with my boyfriend. Waiting for him to shift through the inventory, I began to browse as well. What do I find other than another super cute interchange jacket, this time The North Face Cedar Falls Triclimate Jacket in Moonlight Ivory. It first caught my attention because it’s just so lovely. It’s got a sophisticated cut to it, which is more versatile for my purposes. I could wear it around town and not look like I just crawled out of the state park. When I am at the state park, Cedar Falls has all the fixings that I liked for outdoor play. It’s waterproof with taped seams, windproof, breathable yet warm (I still don’t know how they do that) and has eight pockets, four of which have zipper closures. The waist has a drawstring to block out cold, and the hood is fully adjustable as well. I pulled the Cedar Park off the rack and tried it on. The angels were singing more loudly this time.



The only disadvantage is that the hood doesn’t detach; not much of a problem for me because the hood lays flat. The medium fits beautifully, allowing room for layers underneath but it's still flattering on my figure. With a price tag of $99 thanked the shopping gods and made the purchase. I promptly canceled my order for the Bugaboo with Bass Pro.

The North Face Atlas Triclimate

I came across more durable and versatile jackets in the higher price ranges. The North Face Atlas Triclimate has a two-toned fleece that is thicker than Cedar Fall's. The Atlas comes with pit zips and a detachable hood. As much as I’d love to have those features, I couldn’t find it online under $230. The Passport Triclimate has all of the aforementioned features with the addition of an insulated lining. It’s also about $230. But let’s face it. I live in Atlanta, Georgia. I don’t ski and I don’t plan on hiking the Himalayas anytime soon so Cedar Falls provides sufficient for warmth and protection for what I need. (One reviewer from Michigan exclaimed, “It was 3 degrees this morning but I was toasty in my Atlas Triclimate!” It’s never that cold here, which just proved that I didn’t need the $130 upgrade.)

Lessons Learned:
1.)Try stores outside of your comfort zone. You never know what you might find!
2.) Be lame and create a list of what you need in a jacket. Make sure that your jacket meets the requirements and see any additional features as bonuses. If the bonuses are going to break your budget, just say no. That money can be used for other items that you need later.

I'll update you on the jacket's performance as soon I we get some inclement weather!

Camping at Lake Lanier and Getting Hit by Bikes at Roswell Park

I enjoyed my first camping trip to Lake Hartwell so much that I wanted to go camping again and bring my sister, brother-in-law, and my dog Riley. We decided to go to Lake Lanier the weekend after Labor Day.

My sister was a summer camp counselor so she’s been there, done that with the camping thing. My brother-in-law has also camped before and he grew up playing in forests, mountains, and fields in Germany so I figured neither of them would have any serious issues with camping at a relatively posh site like Lake Lanier. They didn’t. Not that we gave them anything to worry about. My boyfriend and I set up the tents and everything so that my siblings could arrive like royalty and just enjoy the night. (It was a post-anniversary gift).

The Sawnee camp sites at Lake Lanier are larger than those at Lake Hartwell but they are also a bit closer together, it seems. The Lake has 692 miles of shoreline offering plenty of campsites for people who want easy access to the water. Again, the drought* has taken its toll on this lake, too, but we were still equipped with a nice view and plenty of wet space to cool off in.

But that’s not what we did. My boyfriend has got problems with lake water (“It’s slimy!”) so we opted to hike instead. (Note: dogs aren’t allowed on the trails at Lanier. Riley had to sit this one out.) My boyfriend and I took the 3.8 mile trail that skims much of the lake and veers off into the forest. The hike was quite pleasant: most of the trail is shaded and there are little wooden footbridges throughout that direct you over marshes and small streams. We saw a family of deer (4 or 5) and crossed paths with a turtle that was headed toward the highway. We redirected him and hoped he took the hint.

The paths are well marked in most areas and points of interest, though not very interesting to me, helped us to gauge the distance and the route. There are about 20 beaches on the lake and we passed two of them along the trail. We also passed three rest stops and two small playgrounds so there is plenty of opportunity to rest for anyone who needs a respite. We strolled at a comfortable, moderate pace and made it back to our starting point in 2.5 hours. The trail is easy without much elevation gain.

One good thing about Lake Lanier is the team of rangers that walk around handing out fliers and talking to people about when the floodgates open. They really want to prevent accidents and they do what they can to keep the dam and its guests safe; it’s up to the guests to heed their advice. The ranger we spoke with really seemed to love his job and was quite helpful.

I felt bad that Riley wasn’t able to hike with us at Lanier so we went to nearby Roswell Park. The original intent was to do a bit of geocaching (Riley would’ve liked the off-road action) but we doubted that my sister and brother-in-law would dig it so we stuck to the paved trail. Maybe next time.

Roswell Park trails are comfortable to walk with very few stretches that aren’t covered. The wooden bridge reportedly gets very slippery when wet and it can be dangerous for joggers and bikers. Oh, the bikers… they add a different dynamic to the trail experience. I love bikes and bikers, don’t get me wrong. It’s just an additional thing to think about when you’re walking, especially with a dog or child. “On your left!” is what most bikers shout before zooming by (thank you!) but sometimes they don’t say anything at all. You don’t know a stealthy road bike is coming until a handlebar clips your elbow and you feel a breeze pass. Sometimes the bikers do shout but the runners have their headphones in and don’t hear them. Quite a few near collisions. The biker/runner relationship can get a bit strained at Roswell Park because of that.

Image Credits: Lake Lanier Path
Young Biker
Woman by the Water

Labor Day at Lake Hartwell, GA

I’ve always wanted to go hiking but lacked the equipment and the people to do it with. (Of course, the second that I mentioned that I’m going camping half a million friends come out the woodworks who are also into camping but never mentioned it.) Anyway, I didn’t have to do much persuading to get my boyfriend to take me out over the Labor Day weekend.

All the sites close to Atlanta were taken so he looked farther north and found Lake Hartwell. It was constructed by the Army Corp of Engineers and there were quite a few campsites available. He assured me that my first time camping wouldn’t be too “hardcore” and he was right. I was actually quite spoiled.

Lake Hartwell rests a pleasant drive up I-85, close to the South Carolina border. Once you get off of the interstate there are a few miles of winding roads that lead to the lake but with a halfway decent GPS there shouldn’t be a problem finding it, especially since the Corps did a great job with posting signs.

The ranger, a mature woman with gray curls, a bright smile and a warm Southern accent, welcomed us and immediately told us that the sight we picked wasn’t “very nice.” With 56,000 acres of park there were more spaces to choose from. “There are quite a few sites that are open,” she said, scribbling the numbers of the available sites on the back of our pass. “Take a look at them and feel free to pick another.”

We did as she said and got a much better site well within walking distance to the bathrooms and showers. The sites are well maintained. Ours came with the standard picnic table and a grill. We set up the tent, an REI Hobitat 4, and inflated the mattress (yes, I know that’s cheating). Even with the mattress inflated, we had sufficient space in the 4 person tent to be comfortable. Since he promised me posh camping, my boyfriend took me to dinner in downtown Hartwell. There are choices but keep in mind that it is a small, small town.

We settled on Mi Jalisco, a Mexican restaurant in a strip mall that wasn’t as pleasant on the eyes as it was on the palate. The staff was extremely kind (it helps to speak Spanish, of course) and the food proved to be delicious. My boyfriend ordered a chorizo nachos appetizer that was loaded. It could’ve been an entrée for a moderate appetite. He was in heaven. I ordered a shrimp fajita quesadilla with spinach that tasted divine. My margarita was a bit more tart than I prefer but it got the job done. My companion ordered some creamy shrimp plate with beans and rice; he wasn’t feeling the creamy sauce but everything else was good. We give it a 7.5/10 which is decent with a Tapatio judging the restaurant.

We rushed back to the site to make it before 10:30pm. We basically slid under the gate. At the site, our neighbor came by to make sure his generator wasn’t going to bother us. We carried on a good conversation until the mosquitoes came to eat us all alive. We scurried to the bathrooms (which were very clean and well stocked) washed up, and headed back to the campsite.

I slept well on the comfy air mattress and woke up to a view of the lake. It's a large lake with 962 miles of shoreline but it wasn’t at the height of its grandeur due to the drought (sigh). The deepest point is usually 200 feet but I could tell that wasn't the case that weekend and the other visitors were having to work around the low water levels. With a bit more water I could imagine that Lake Hartwell would be a great destination for water sports and activities, an alternative to the more crowded Lake Lanier and Lake Allatoona.

Have you visited Lake Hartwell? What are your thoughts?

Image Credits: Lake Hartwell
Shrimp Quesadilla

Hiking at Amicalola Falls

Hiking at Amicalola Falls was my first hike since returning from the Peace Corps. It was an excellent start, a low to moderate intensity hike with lots of shade, well-marked paths, and a stunning view at the top.

The day began at the visitors’ center where we met a ranger and his friendly great horned owl. If you’ve never seen one of these bad boys in real life, they’re amazing. Seriously, their eyes are huge, their heads really do a 360 (okay, not really) and their talons could easy carry away my dog. There were an array of snakes on display as well as maps marking the Appalachian Trail and relics from the trail’s first hikers.

We arrived to the trailhead soon after. My boyfriend planned the hike right before my birthday (mid-August) so he gave me one of my gifts early, a Camelbak L.U.X.E. in blue and gray. It certainly came in handy. It is my first hydration backpack and I simply adore it. Whenever I got thirsty I just tugged the straw and—tah dah!—instant hydration without the annoyance of holding a water bottle while hiking or having to unsnap/dig the bottle out of a backpack. The only disadvantage was that the fluid in the tube gets warm overtime so the first sip is warm before the fresh, cool fluid rushes through the tube.

As for the hike, it starts with a gentle incline and gradually zig-zags through the forest. Points of interest along the way include a large tree that was hallowed out by lightening (I think) and a 1940s-style pickup truck that is lodged and rusting on the cliff. Both were fun photo ops.

I’m not in excellent shape so I was surprised that I didn’t get winded during the walk to the bottom of the falls. We chatted casually, joyfully even. Until we got to the stairs. I had to tilt my head back to see the top. I glared at my boyfriend.
“You said that this would be a relaxing hike,” I murmured. I don’t remember his response because I was too busy fuming. I hate stairs with a passion and there were 175 of them looming overhead. I looked at the bottom of the falls, which was lovely, and figured that the view from the top would be even better. He assured me that it was and thus began the ascent. (Note: it is possible to drive to the top of the falls if you’d like.)


No lie, I stopped three times. We played stair-style leap frog with another couple who was stopping at alternate intervals. I was surprised to find that my legs weren’t really tired, just the burn of some lactic acid, but my endurance sucked. I don’t think the elevation is high enough to effect our bodies but I know that I could hear my blood pumping in my ears and that’s when we stopped.
It was well worth it! I felt like a champion when we finally reached the top and I was rewarded with a view of a small but beautiful waterfall. Amicalola is derived from the Cherokee word for “tumbling waters.” Due to the drought the falls weren’t tumbling and full as they could’ve been but it was still a sight to see. Other hikers had tossed coins and roses at the top of the falls, some lodge in the rocks and puddles.

The view down the mountain wasn’t nearly as nice as the view overlooking the southern peaks of the Appalachian Mountains. I didn’t think we were that high but Amicalola Falls is the highest falls east of the Mississippi (at 729 feet) and we could see for miles and miles.

At the top of the falls there are places to picnic and other trails that veer off into the mountains. We went geocaching and actually found the cache after about 30 minutes (woo-hoo!). Another fun photo op.

We hiked back to the bottom and enjoyed a picnic at a table adjacent to a stream, close to a visitors’ center. Overall it was a great way to get back into the hiking scene.

Photo Credits: Amicalola Falls
View from Top of Falls